Mayor Brandon Johnson is using the game of musical chairs triggered by the retirement of City Council dean Walter Burnett to appease critics and shore up his base in the progressive and African-American communities.

Replacing Burnett as chair of the powerful Zoning Committee is Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st), who worked closely with the mayor in crafting a groundbreaking ordinance relaxing parking requirements for so-called transit-oriented developments.

An avid cyclist, La Spata has also led the push for more protected bike lanes, and tried and failed to convince colleagues to reduce the default speed limit on Chicago streets to 25 mph.

Replacing Burnett as vice-mayor is Ald. Emma Mitts (37th), a 25-year veteran alderperson. Mitts was at the center of allegations that then- Ald. Carlos Ram

See Full Page